kilimanjaro

Lemosho Route — 8 Days

The most scenic traverse of Kilimanjaro, with the highest summit success rate.

Duration

8 days

Difficulty

Challenging

Group size

2 – 12

Summit altitude

5,895 m

From

USD 2,890

per person

Trip overview

What to expect

This 8-day kilimanjaro journey — The most scenic traverse of Kilimanjaro, with the highest summit success rate. — is graded Challenging and runs in small groups of 2 – 12 travellers. Our route tops out at 5,895 m, and every day is paced for safe acclimatisation.

You will spend 8 days on the ground, covering roughly 70 km on foot, moving through changing landscapes with a KINAPA-licensed lead guide, a full support team, and meals prepared fresh in camp. Accommodation alternates between comfortable lodges before and after the trek and well-equipped camps or huts during it.

The best window to travel is Jan – Mar · Jun – Oct. Departures run year-round on request, with private and small-group options. Every booking includes pre-trip planning calls, gear advice, and 24/7 in-country support.

Why this journey

Trip highlights

Longer acclimatisation profile = ~92% summit success
Crosses the mountain west-to-east through five climate zones
Quiet western approach away from Machame crowds
Summit night from Barafu Camp under a sky of stars

8 days

Day-by-day itinerary

A detailed, day-by-day breakdown of where you sleep, how far you walk, what you eat, and the moments to look forward to.

01
Day
Arrival in Moshi
Met at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to your hotel in Moshi (910 m). Gear check and pre-climb briefing with your lead guide at 6:00 PM.
Altitude
910 m
Stay
Parkview Inn, Moshi (or similar)
Meals
D
- Airport pick-up
- Gear check & rentals
- Briefing with head guide
What you'll do
Guided activity led by a licensed local expert.
What's included today
Stay at Parkview Inn, Moshi (or similar) · Meals: D
Good to know
Bring your duffel under 15 kg for porters. Excess luggage can be stored free at the hotel.
02
Day
Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
3-hour drive to Londorossi Gate (2,100 m) for registration, then a short drive to Lemosho trailhead. Hike 4 hours through montane rainforest with colobus monkeys and tree ferns.
Altitude
2,100 m → 2,800 m
Distance
6 km
Hiking
3 – 4 h
Stay
Mti Mkubwa Camp (tents)
Meals
B / L / D
- Colobus & blue monkeys
- Giant tree heather
- First night on the mountain
What you'll do
3 – 4 h of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Mti Mkubwa Camp (tents) · Meals: B / L / D
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.
03
Day
Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1 Camp
Exit the forest onto the giant Shira Plateau — one of the highest plateaus on earth. Open views across to Mount Meru.
Altitude
2,800 m → 3,500 m
Distance
8 km
Hiking
5 – 6 h
Stay
Shira 1 Camp (tents)
Meals
B / L / D
- Shira Plateau panoramas
- First view of Kibo summit
- Alpine moorland
What you'll do
5 – 6 h of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Shira 1 Camp (tents) · Meals: B / L / D
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.
04
Day
Shira 1 → Moir Hut
Gentle ascent across the plateau with an acclimatisation walk up Lent Hills (4,200 m) before descending to camp.
Altitude
3,500 m → 4,200 m → 4,150 m
Distance
11 km
Hiking
5 – 7 h
Stay
Moir Hut Camp (tents)
Meals
B / L / D
- Lent Hills acclimatisation
- Quiet camp away from main route
- Lobelia & senecio plants
What you'll do
5 – 7 h of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Moir Hut Camp (tents) · Meals: B / L / D
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.
05
Day
Moir Hut → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
The classic 'climb high, sleep low' day. Up to Lava Tower (4,640 m) for lunch, then descend into the giant senecio forest of the Barranco valley.
Altitude
4,150 m → 4,640 m → 3,960 m
Distance
10 km
Hiking
6 – 7 h
Stay
Barranco Camp (tents)
Meals
B / L / D
- Lava Tower acclimatisation
- Giant senecio forest
- View of Western Breach
What you'll do
6 – 7 h of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Barranco Camp (tents) · Meals: B / L / D
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.
06
Day
Barranco → Karanga → Barafu
Up the Barranco Wall at dawn (a fun scramble, not technical), traverse to Karanga, then push on to base camp at Barafu (4,673 m). Early dinner, sleep by 7 PM.
Altitude
3,960 m → 4,673 m
Distance
9 km
Hiking
7 – 8 h
Stay
Barafu Camp (tents)
Meals
B / L / D
- Barranco Wall scramble
- Arrival at summit base camp
- Pre-summit briefing
What you'll do
7 – 8 h of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Barafu Camp (tents) · Meals: B / L / D
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.
07
Day
Summit Day — Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Wake at 11 PM, hot tea, and step into the dark by midnight. Six hours of slow switchbacks to Stella Point (5,756 m) for sunrise, then one final hour along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak — the Roof of Africa.
Altitude
4,673 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m
Distance
16 km
Hiking
12 – 14 h
Stay
Mweka Camp (tents)
Meals
B / L / D
- Midnight summit push
- Sunrise at Stella Point
- Uhuru Peak — 5,895 m
- Long descent to oxygen-rich camp
What you'll do
12 – 14 h of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Mweka Camp (tents) · Meals: B / L / D
Good to know
Dress in all your warm layers — summit night temperatures fall to −20 °C with windchill. Carry your camera inside your jacket to keep batteries warm.
08
Day
Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi
Final 3-hour descent through the rainforest. Summit certificates at Mweka Gate, transfer to Moshi for a hot shower and a celebratory dinner.
Altitude
3,100 m → 1,640 m
Distance
10 km
Hiking
3 – 4 h
Stay
Parkview Inn, Moshi
Meals
B / L / D
- Summit certificates
- Hot shower!
- Celebration dinner
What you'll do
3 – 4 h of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Parkview Inn, Moshi · Meals: B / L / D
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.

Before you book

Important information

Practical details every traveller should read before confirming. We'll cover everything again in your pre-departure pack.

Visa & entry

Most nationalities need a Tanzanian tourist visa (USD 50, or USD 100 for US passports). You can apply online via eservices.immigration.go.tz or get a visa on arrival at JRO. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

Travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is mandatory. For Kilimanjaro and high-altitude treks the policy must explicitly cover trekking above 4,000 m and helicopter rescue.

Health & vaccinations

Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a yellow fever country. Anti-malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Consult a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure.

Payment & deposits

A 30% deposit confirms your booking; the balance is due 45 days before arrival. We accept bank transfer and card (3% fee). Free rescheduling up to 30 days before departure.

Tipping

Tipping is customary and an important part of crew income. Guidelines are shared in your pre-trip pack — typically USD 25–35 per day for safari guides and USD 300–350 total per climber for a Kilimanjaro crew.

Group size & privacy

This trip runs in groups of 2 – 12. Private departures with your own guide and vehicle are available year-round on request — ask us for a custom quote.

Altitude & fitness

You'll sleep above 4,000 m and summit at 5,895 m. No technical climbing skills are needed, but you should be able to walk 5–7 hours per day on consecutive days. We do daily pulse-oximeter checks and carry emergency oxygen.

KPAP-registered operator

We follow Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) standards: fair wages, three meals a day for porters, proper gear, and a 20 kg load limit. Your booking directly supports ethical mountain employment.

What's included

✓All park, camping and rescue fees
✓KINAPA-licensed lead guide + assistant guides (1 per 2 climbers)
✓Ethically-paid porter team and cook
✓All meals on the mountain + filtered water
✓Quality 4-season tents, sleeping mats, mess tent
✓Two nights in Moshi (B&B) before and after the climb
✓Round-trip airport transfers (JRO)
✓Pulse oximeter daily health checks

Not included

—International flights
—Tanzania visa (USD 50 on arrival)
—Travel & evacuation insurance (mandatory)
—Personal climbing gear (rentable in Moshi)
—Tips for the mountain crew (~USD 350 per climber)

Pack smart

Packing list

A category-by-category checklist tailored to this journey. Items marked essential should not be skipped — rentals are available in Moshi and Arusha.

Essentials for this trip

✓4-season sleeping bag (-15 °C)
✓Waterproof hiking boots, broken in
✓Layered hiking clothing + insulated summit jacket
✓Headlamp with spare batteries
✓Trekking poles, gaiters, sun hat & beanie
✓2-3 L water bladder + thermos

Clothing — layers

•3× moisture-wicking base layer tops
•2× thermal base layer bottoms
•Fleece or soft-shell mid layer
•Insulated down jacket (summit night)
•Waterproof + windproof hard-shell jacket and trousers
•Trekking trousers (2 pairs) + shorts
•Warm hat, sun hat, buff/neck gaiter
•Liner gloves + insulated waterproof gloves
•4× hiking socks, 1× thermal socks for summit

Footwear & sleeping

•Waterproof hiking boots, broken in
•Camp shoes / trainers
•Gaiters (recommended)
•4-season sleeping bag (-15 °C comfort rating)
•Inflatable pillow

Daypack & summit kit

•20–30 L daypack with rain cover
•2–3 L water bladder or two 1 L bottles
•Sunscreen SPF 50, lip balm with SPF
•Sunglasses (UV 400)
•Personal first aid: blister kit, paracetamol, ibuprofen, rehydration salts
•Quick-dry towel, hand sanitiser, wet wipes
•Camera + spare batteries, power bank
•Headlamp + spare batteries (essential for summit)
•Trekking poles (collapsible)
•Thermos for hot drinks on summit night
•Hand and toe warmers

Documents & money

•Passport (6+ months validity) and visa
•Travel insurance documents (printed + digital)
•Vaccination certificate if applicable
•Credit card + USD cash in small notes (post-2009, no rips)
•Emergency contacts and trip voucher

Best season: Jan – Mar · Jun – Oct

5.0 / 5 · 3 traveller reviews

What travellers say

Honest words from people who have walked, driven, sailed and summited with us. We publish every review unedited.

★★★★★

Summit success thanks to an unreal crew

"We chose Tembo after weeks of research and they exceeded every expectation. Our guide Emanuel paced us perfectly, the porters were extraordinary, and the food on the mountain was honestly better than the lodge. We both reached Uhuru Peak with energy to spare."

Hannah & Mark · United Kingdom · Sep 2025

★★★★★

Pole pole — and it worked

"I was nervous about the altitude. The team did daily oxygen checks, kept us hydrated and well-fed, and never rushed us. Summit night was brutal but the guides were beside us every step. I cried at the top."

Lucía R. · Spain · Aug 2025

★★★★★

Ethical, professional, world-class

"What stood out is how well the porters are treated — fair wages, proper gear, three meals a day. You feel good about who you're paying. The Lemosho route is stunning. Worth every dollar."

David K. · Canada · Feb 2025